In a high-profile preview of its late 2004 opening, The Ritz-Carlton,
Grand Cayman today introduced a group of internationally renowned brand
leaders that, together, will produce an array of facilities, activities
and amenities that promise to redefine residential and resort lifestyle in
the Caribbean.
When opened, The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman will offer golf by Greg
Norman, the preeminent golf course designer and, for over 330 weeks in the
1980’s and 1990’s, the number one player in the world; a new spa concept
by La Prairie, the international leader in beauty and health products and
services; two restaurants by Eric Ripert, co-owner and executive chef of
the acclaimed Le Bernardin in New York; a Ritz Kids(R) Ambassadors of the
Environment program by Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ocean Futures Society, and
tennis by Nick Bollettieri, the legendary coach of such stars as Andre
Agassi and Monica Seles.

Addressing an audience of owners of The Residences at The Ritz-Carlton,
Grand Cayman, hotel customers and top New York-based media at The
Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park, Simon Cooper, president and COO of
The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, LCC said: “The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman
marries The Ritz- Carlton brand with a team of other impressive names to
create an unparalleled visitor experience. We will operate a resort in
relationship with one of the world’s best-known golfers, the chef and
co-owner of the top-rated restaurant in New York, America’s most famous
tennis coach, a leader in the science of beauty and skincare, and a
premier authority on the oceans and underwater environments. This approach
enables us to create a distinctive environment.”

According to Michael Ryan, developer of the Grand Cayman project, “The
Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman and The Residences at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand
Cayman represent a resort and private home ownership experience that will
set new standards of luxury for the Cayman Islands as a vacation
destination.” The Honorable McKeeva Bush, leader of government business
for the Cayman Islands, echoed those sentiments and told the assembled
guests that by opening, the project will have already generated $476
million to the local economy. “Once fully completed, The Ritz-Carlton,
Grand Cayman is expected to contribute over $1 billion to Cayman’s
economy, a full 7% of GDP,” Bush said.

For The Ritz-Carlton, the Grand Cayman project represents the company’s
largest resort project with a residential component, the first
Ritz-Carlton managed, full-ownership residential development in the
Caribbean and one of the company’s most extensive properties, spanning 144
acres along the famous Seven Mile Beach and across to the island’s North
Sound. In introducing the luminaries, Jean Cohen, vice president and
general manager of the resort, said: “I am extremely pleased that today
the world’s best join us for this significant announcement.”

Norman, through his company Greg Norman Golf Course Design, is not only
designing the Grand Cayman course but building it as well. Carved along a
natural sal*censored*er lagoon with sweeping views and a dramatic island green
finishing hole, the decision on the type and length of course was
carefully considered. “I told Mike Ryan that he could either have an
acceptable 18-hole course or a nine-hole masterpiece. To his credit, he
chose the latter,” Norman said.

Eric Ripert, who joined the summit by video, noted that the two
restaurants at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, would be the first to carry
his name. “To work with the world’s best hotel company in bringing the
very highest standards of dining to the Caribbean is a great opportunity,”
he said

Lynne Florio, president of La Prairie, pointed out that her company is no
stranger to Ritz-Carlton, as evidenced by the company’s presence in The
Ritz- Carlton New York, Central Park where the summit took place. “What is
terribly exciting, however, is the opportunity that I’ve been given to
launch an entirely new spa concept at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman.”
Details, which include everything from architecture and design to beauty
products, are being kept under wraps until closer to opening.

As a leader in environmental education and study of the oceans, Jean-
Michel Cousteau and his Ocean Futures Society have the mission to educate
and inspire people globally to act responsibly in protecting and
celebrating the natural world. In Grand Cayman, Ritz Kids(R) Ambassadors
of the Environment program will be multi-faceted and custom-designed for
the resort, offering an entertaining yet substantive approach to learning
about the unique character of the natural and cultural heritage of the
Cayman Islands and the Caribbean Sea, including indoor activities in an
interactive Learning Center and outdoor and underwater activities.

To legions of tennis fans around the world, Nick Bollettieri is a familiar
and respected name. The Bollettieri tennis center at The Ritz-Carlton,
Grand Cayman will feature clay and grass courts, competitive instruction
and personal appearances and clinics by the master himself. “It is a
pleasure to join this distinguished group of brands in creating an
exceptional racquet experience at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman. With its
outstanding location and facilities, the property, will be an ideal
setting in which to learn and enjoy the game. The resort’s grass court
will be a first for the Cayman Islands and perhaps a training site for
some Wimbledon hopefuls,” Bollettieri said. 

Situated on 144 acres stretching sea-to-sea from the acclaimed Seven Mile
Beach to the North Sound, The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman and The
Residences at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, blend a lush Caribbean
backdrop with classic British-Colonial architecture. The resort features
365 guestrooms and suites, the first La Prairie Spa in the Caribbean, five
dining venues including two restaurants by Eric Ripert of top-ranking New
York restaurant Le Bernardin, several bars and lounges, an exclusive
shopping arcade featuring premium brand boutiques, the island’s largest
ballroom, a tennis center by Nick Bollettieri, a Ritz Kids(R) program by
Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment, and a Greg
Norman-designed nine-hole golf course.

The Residences at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, 69 private ownership
homes, are available with two, three and four-bedroom plans ranging from
2,400 to 8,000 square feet. Residents enjoy all of the facilities,
services and amenities of the oceanfront resort, including two lifetime
golf memberships, as well as dedicated Residential Concierge service, a
Dial-a-Chef program for private dining and access to a unique Endless
Service program featuring customized home interior furnishings and design,
use of a top of the line Mercedes Benz or a selection of other European
luxury cars and crewed power boast and continual maintenance and
refurbishment of owners’ residences.

The exceptional standard of service of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company,
LLC, rated by travelers as the best in the world, shapes every aspect of
the guest experience at the property.
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